The joint standing committee on community development held its first public hearing in Launceston yesterday on Greens leader Nick McKim's Dying with Dignity Bill.

In a joint submission by Hobart Archbishop Adrian Doyle, Vicar-General Father Mark Freeman and Calvary Hospital doctor Gerry McGushin, the committee heard that the bill not only contradicted the ethos of Christianity, but eroded the pillars of a good society.

"We are appalled at the rate of suicide within society among young people and my concern, and the concern about this legislation, is that it almost suggests that the ending of life, the choosing to end life, is an option for people," Father Freeman said.

"It's such an irony to put so much energy and effort into trying to address the problem of suicide in our society and then proposing legislation to do almost exactly that but in a different setting."

He said, having worked with people struggling with severe depression, they would identify themselves in the category of "intolerable suffering" as outlined in the bill.

"I believe it's totally unacceptable and I think it sends a very, very poor message to the community, and especially the young," Father Freeman said.

Denison Greens MHA Cassy O'Connor put to the three that Tasmanian doctors were already "amping up the morphine" as a compassionate response, an involuntary euthanasia, to end the suffering of the terminally ill.

Dr McGushin denied the suggestion, saying that there was a clear definition within the medical profession between withdrawing treatment and administering pain relief, and ending life by way of euthanasia.

"I have never given anything on the basis of ending people's life," he said.

"I don't know any doctors that do."

North West Regional Hospital GP liaison officer Keith McArthur said he would like to see a "gold standard in palliative care services" before the dilemmas of euthanasia were debated.

Submissions were also received from Australian Christian Lobby managing director Jim Wallace, the Reverend Professor Michael Tate and Lyons Liberal MHA Rene Hidding.

Committee chairman Kerry Finch said 500 written submissions had been received so far and that another public hearing would be held in Hobart on August 24.

The bill will continue to be investigated by the committee, which will report on the matter on October 2.

•Counselling, support and information to help with depression is available. You can contact Lifelink Samaritans 6331 3355 or 1300 364566 for a 24- hour listening and befriending service. You can also contact Lifeline on 131114 or the Mental Health Services Helpline on 1800332388 or you can visit the website www.beyondblue.org.au.